‘Great loss of human lives, structures expected’ JEREMY C. RUARK jruark@countrymedia.net
Wildfires burning across Oregon are expected to leave a significant trail of lost lives and lost property. “We expect to see a great deal of loss both in structures and in human lives. This could be the greatest loss of human lives and property due to wildfires in our state’s history,” Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said in her opening remarks during a media briefing Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 9. “My heart goes out to the families affected.” Brown said Oregon is facing a statewide fire emergency. Evacuations are occurring across the state and numerous
“Our number one priority right now is saving lives. Our statewide strategy is focused on live safety, evacuation and protecting structures.” Kate Brown. Oregon Governor Oregonians have been rescued from harm’s way, Brown said, but many more Oregonians will need to evacuate in the coming hours to ensure their safety. Brown said there are currently five incident management teams
fighting 35 wildfires with multiple smaller fires continuing to erupt across the state. The latest fires are in the Santiam Pass area of Marion County, the Lionshead fire near Warm Springs in Central Oregon, the Holiday Farm Fire in rural Lane County and two wildfires in Jackson County. “Right now, more than 300,000 acres are burning across the state,” Brown said. “This is the equivalent of over 500 square miles.” Brown said parts of Oregon where fires are not burning face the worst fire conditions in three decades. “This means everyone must be on high alert,” Brown said. More Governor, Page A4
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Gov. Brown has asked for a federal emergency declaration to free up additional resources to help in the battle against Oregon’s wildfires and the recovery that will be needed.
Barbecue in Brookings
Courtesy Photo
State and local officials encourage you to have a Go Kit ready in case you need to evacuate in a moment’s notice. The kit should contain essential items, such as those in this photo.
David Hayes Photos, The Pilot
Douglas Momchilovich stokes the coals burnt from white oak to heat up his fire box before adding chunks of hickory for smoky flavor.
Chef brings BBQ experience full circle Douglas Momchilovich figures he was an unintended beneficiary when the state of Oregon closed down businesses back in March to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. His Cuzzin’ Douggie’s Bar-BQue Emporium has been smoking up meats and serving side dishes made from scratch from his corner setup at the Brookings Harbor Farmers Market for the past 2-1/2 years. But Momchilovich said the pandemic forced local diners to find out about his brand of barbecue. “People were getting tired of cooking at home during the lockdown. Taco Tuesdays and spaghetti Fridays wasn’t working anymore,” Momchilovich said. “Because of the farmers market, we were open because we were ‘essential.’ And all we do is to-go. We fit the bill all the way around.” With a vast background in the culinary arts, Momchilovich almost went with Greek food when
he first moved into the market. Instead, he went with Italian. “It was pouring down rain and people were lined up out the tent. But I got ‘slayed,’” Momchilovich recalled. “I didn’t have a kitchen setup yet. I only had toaster ovens — real primitive.” A bigger seller than his meals, however, were his cheesecakes. His side business — Sasquatch Creamery — could barely keep up with orders. “The first time I made about 25 of them, they didn’t even last an hour. Next time I made 50, sold out in couple hours,” Momchilovich said. “The funny thing about this is, I hate cheesecake. I hate making cheesecake.” Luckily, he convinced longtime pal David Schaller to take over that side of the business. Schaller’s cheesecake options now include two keto, seven gluten-free and 31 other flavors. “This is where we wanted to live,” said Schaller, who had family in the Brookings area. “And to live here, you’ve pretty much got to own your own business.”
The two had worked together off and on over the last 18 years as glass-glazing contractors. Momchilovich himself bounced back and forth between the culinary world and his family’s glass-glazing business in Kansas City. “My dad, who owned the third largest glass company in Kansas City for 37 years, said one thing to me that stuck in my head I’ll never forget my whole life,” Momchilovich said. “‘Son, a job is like auctioning off minutes of your life to the highest bidder.’” Momchilovich said that was pretty profound lesson for an 11-year-old with his whole life to live ahead of him. He figured the highest bidder was minimum wage. So, he and his brother hustled neighborhood jobs from mowing yards to shoveling snow, to avoid minimum wage. But when he was about to turn 15, and his dad refused to buy him a car, so Momchilovich got his first real job at a barbecue
closures and that outdoor recreation is at record levels all over. Nationwide I’m told there is about a 30% increase in boating fatalities and we’re seeing that same level of increase in Oregon. More boating, more accidents.” Henry said his biggest concern is the number of very preventable fatalities. “We’re seeing people not surviving capsizings and falls-overboard,” he said “In nearly all these cases, a life jacket would have prevented the tragedy.” Henry said Oregon had recorded 22 boating fatalities as of Tuesday, Sept. 1. “In only three of those cases a
worn or correctly-fitted and sized life jacket would probably not have made a difference,” Henry said. “In other words, maybe 19 of those could have been saved by a life jacket.” The number one cause of boating fatalities is people ending up in the water unprepared, according to Henry. According to Henry, if someone tips their kayak over and they have a life jacket on, they swim it back to shore, get in and try it again. “We never hear about it,” he said. “If someone doesn’t have a life jacket, they struggle, they panic, they suffer cold water
shock, rescue is more difficult, and it’s a fatality.” Henry said the danger is especially present for small non-motorized boats. “You should assume you’re going for a swim and dress accordingly,” he said. For motorboaters, it’s all about being prepared for the unexpected and knowing your waterway, Henry said. “Don’t travel at a high speed until you know what’s under the water – we had a lot of groundings and broken boats this year when people hit rocks, logs
DAVID HAYES The Pilot
Douglas Momchilovich trims the membrane, or silverskin, from a rack of ribs while getting them ready for the smoker.
More BBQ, Page A4
Danger increases along Oregon waterways JEREMY C. RUARK
jruark@countrymedia.net
Officials said they are seeing a disturbing trend along Oregon’s popular rivers, lakes and ocean bays this summer and into fall: A high number of increasing fatalities and accidents. The Oregon Marine Board’s Randy Henry calls the rise in waterway fatalities and accidents concerning. “I am very concerned with the number and types of incidents and fatalities we’ve seen this summer on Oregon’s waterways,” Henry said. “Part of that is explained by COVID-19
More Safety, Page A4
Officials urge to be ready JEREMY C. RUARK
jruark@countrymedia.net
During this intense wildfire season in Oregon, officials said it is critical that everyone be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Oregon Office of Emergency Management Public Information Officer Paula Fasano Negele said the most important element is to be prepared. “If you do not have a “go kit” put one together NOW,” she said. “Have a conversation with family members about what you will do, what you will bring and where you will go if you are evacuated. Know your evacuation levels! Fasano Negele said when a Level 3 – GO now – is ordered, GO! “Be prepared to leave behind items,” she said. “It’s more important to get out safely. This nugget comes from a survivor of the Mosier Creek fire who escaped her home with 9 other family members and 7 dogs without a moment to spare.” Fasano Negele said there critical steps of action you need to take during an evacuation. “Know your evacuation levels,” she said. “This seems trite but with the fast-moving fires that have occurred in the past few days, this information is the difference between being a survivor and a victim.” Level 1 – BE READY – Monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs and, in some cases, pets and livestock. Level 2 – BE SET – Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. There is significant danger to your area. Be prepared to voluntarily relocate to a Temporary Evacuation Point (TEPO as set up by the Red Cross, or move to family/friends outside of the affected area. More Ready, Page A4